Tidal drainage and irrigating unit



July 8, 1952 w. F. M KENNA TIDAL DRAINAGE AND IRRIGATING UNIT Filed Aug. 4, 1950 w W M 3 -*A still further objector-the 2 UNITED STATES oF icE; I I. :7 g .f;' z,602,44,, 1

I TIDAL DRAINAGE AND mn A'r N UNIT 7 A W m .F-fMc Kenna, ogdensburg, N. .Y.

-- App ica n Aus is 1 50.;Seri l.nalwssi 1 v I The present invention relates to a tidal drainage and irrigatingunit and'it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of parts herein described and claimed. I

Generally there is provided a simple, self-contained unitary device which provides automatic control of the'flow of irrigating fluid from an infusion bottle or the like to the bladder of a human patient in an ebb and flow manner which, once adjusted, will act continuously and without attention as longas the supply of irrigating fluid is maintained in-the infusion bottle or other container from which liquid'will fiow;

It is accordingly an object of the inventionto provide a device of the character setforth which is simple in construction, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and' yet efiective and efiicientinuse.- i

V Anotherobject of the invention-is the prov1-' sion of a device of the character set forth which is Wholly without moving parts, is a single selfcontained unit occupying-butlittle; space and which may be formed of glass, metal cr-jany other substance which can besterilized. I A further object of the invention; is' the provision' of a device of the character s'et forth which,

claims (01. lac-F221) when made of transparent material, will permit the observance of the action therein at all times by a nurse, doctor, or other person'having knowledge of the operation of the device.-

A still further object ofthe invention is the provision of a tidal drainageand irrigatingunit which is particularly adapt'ableto thecare of patients-s'ufiering froma paraplegic bladder, but whichmay beutilized in the treatment of spastic bladdersand in all other cases wherev the attending physician feels that irrigation at intervalsis indicated. I a I Another object .of the invention is the provision' of a device of the character set forth which lends itself'toeasy cleaning and: sterilization.

' Another and important object ofthe invention is the provision,.in a deviceof thecharacter set forth; wherein means is-provided forthe inter ruptionota syphonic action in thepresence or a constant flow of liquid. 1 I

invention is the provision,in a:d'evice-ofthe character'set forth, of me'ans. whereby asafety overflowis caused whenever an obstruction in the irrigation system isencountered. I I I I I 7 Still another object of the invention is the provision of a device-of the character set forth which may be utilized with other known means 'whereby the same-maybe utilized in comunct on with acystorneter or, in the case of larger projects, such as flood and water level control, the principle'embqdied. in the. device may be applied to such projects. a a h Other and further objects of the. invention will become apparent :from a reading of the foll wing specification taken in, conjunction with, the drawing gin whichz; V

Figure l is, a perspective, view ofj an apparatus involving the present invention used in connection with a patient,; s

, Figure 2' is a side elevational .viewof a device embody nsthe; present-invention.

ure 3 'isfan enlarged fragmentary sectiona view taken along line. 3,-'- .-f3. of Figure 2,] Figure 4 an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the lower end offthe device illustrated in'Figure. 2,, c Figure, 5, is an enlarged sectional View taken along line 5--5 of Figure 2, and I Figures 6, 7 and 8 are fragmentary elevational views. each partly broken away, similar to the view shqwn in Figure 4- but illustrating; certain modifications which, may be incorporated in'the device forming the present invention. Referring more particularly tothe. drawing, there'jis shown, therein, a standard having abase llll'and'a vertically adjustable arm. H which terminates at its upper end in a, suspension hook 12 upon whichis mounted the bail li3- of a: reservoir 14 which is preferably formed of glass and entirelyrenclosed and having its neck portion I5 lowermost. Within the neck is mounted a two hole stopper I 6 in, one of the holes of, which is vertically mounted an air.- tube I! and, in the other of which is mounteda liquid tube l8. The lower end of the tube lflis connected. to'a rubber tube I9. having an adjustable clamp mounted thereon.

To the lower end of the tube- I9- there is: connected the apparatus forming the present invention and which is generally indicated at 21. A fitting 22 connects the apparatus 2|: with a tube.

23 preferably formed of rubber and which, in turn, is connected to a catheter which may be inserted into the bladder of the patient. who is indicated at 24'. A fitting 25 in the lower end of the apparatus 2| is connected with a rubber tube 26 which, in turn, leads to a pail 21 orother container and which terminates at a point above any liquid which may be in the container 21.

Instead of the pail 21 a waste receptacle 28 may be employed which receptacle is inthe form of a jar and which is provided with'a neck 29' in which maybe mounted two-hole-stopper 30- through one of the housing 32 there is provided a minute vent opening 35. n e

A vertically extending inner siphon member the tube 23, fitting 22 upwardly through the outer siphon member 39 and downwardly through the inner siphon member 36 and thence through the fitting 25 and tube 26 to be deposited in the pail 2'! or in the receptacle 28, in the latter case the displaced air from within the container 28 passing through the vent 3 I.

When the patients bladder has been completely emptied in this manner it will be seen that a water seal will be left in thelower portion of the casing 32"andthe height of which Water seal will be governed by the opening 4! and the vent hole 42, air in the meantime filling up the remainder 36 is centrally fused to the bottom-of the housing- 32 and the interior thereof communicates with the interior of the fitting '25. The inner siphon in the housing 32 to a point adjacent the top thereof but lower than the lowermost end of the spout"34 and is'connected at its upp r end by four arms 31. which are, in turn, fused to points adjacent the upper closed end 38 of an outer siphon member 39 which latter extends downwardly and in spaced relation to the inner siphon member' to terminate in a bell-shaped portion 40 whose lower end is slightly higher than the upper extremities of the fitting 22. Theilip'of the bell-shaped portion 49 is notchedas indicated at 4| and an opening 42 is formed in the upper end of the bell-shapedportion 4D.

' In operation, inthe casefof a paraplegic patient the apparatus 21 *isfafilristed to a position where the fitting is approximately two centimeters below the anus 'of'fth'e *prostrate'patienty, The catheter (not shown) is' 'then' introduced intofthe patients bladderin conventional manner and the clamp 20 is then adjusted in such manner as to allow liquid to fall from the reservoir 14 by gravity through the tube'19 and thence through the fitting 33 to the spout 34 in.such quantity or rate of fiow'as is desired'by the attending doctorusuall-y at a sufficient rate to fill the bladder of the patient 'in approximately one hours'time; the fluid from the reservoir I4 will therefore continue to drop 'by-gravity from' the spout 34 through the space between the inner walls of the housing-32 and the outer walls of the outer siphon member 39ar'1d thence through the fitting 22 into the tube 23-and thence to the catheter and the patients -b1adder.' Itis possible to observe the ratevof flow by watching the emission of liquid from the spout 34. e 1

As the patients bladder continues to fill, liquid will rise on a level equal to that within the bladder in the space between the walls of the casing '32 and the outer walls of the member 39 and in the space between the inner walls of the member 39 and the outer walls of the inner siphon member 36 and it will be-seen that as the liquid rises in this manner that air may escape through the minute openings "to maintain atmospheric pressure on that'column of liquid growing in the space :btweemthefidasing 32 and the member 39 while, the colummgrowingbetween the outer and inner siphon-members will be relieved-of pressure 7 through thefjint'eriorio'f the inner siphon-*member 3B and thence; i'd'ownwardly through2.'the "tube '2 6 and to the: open atmosphere either directly' or through the escape vent3l.-- T to When the patientis bladderis filled, liquid will then p ss overthearms- 3 l;and down through the interior; of the; inner;-; siphon, member 36 thus causing a siQhQ iC- action w ich. will, act to immevmassacre pt ,ehladder of the patient through of, the apparatus and the water seal acting to prevent air from being drawn into the bladder of the patient.

t c- In,Figures,6; 7 and 8, there are shown three modifications of the invention, the only change in eachcase' being made in the lower end of the outer siphon member 39."

In Figure 6, the lower end of the member 39 is cut on a bias, as indicated at 43, While the customary vent opening 42 is positioned in its usual place. In Figure 7, the lower end of the outer cylindrical member 39 is perfectly cylindrical and is supplied with the customary opening 42 but has a slot 44 cut in the lower edge thereof;

. In Figure 8 the lower end of the member 39 is again perfectly cylindrical but a bell-shaped member 45-is fused in spaced relationadjacent the lower end and depends a short distance below the end of the member 39 and is providedwith a vent opening 46 adjacent its upper end.

In all. ofthe, last threementioned modifications, it will; be apparent that awatcr seal will be left-after. .the relief of the patients bladder. It will, also be. apparent that in whatever of the described devices is used, after the siphonicrelief of the patients bladder. the liquid from the container orreservoir .14 will continue to pass into the patients bladder to begin another cycle and that this periodic filling and emptying of. the bladder will continue to occur so long as liquid remains in the reservoir and that the flow from the reservoir maybe easily regulated by means of the valve or clamp member 20. While but certain-forms of the'invention have been shown and described herein, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minor modifications may be made without departing. from thespirit of the invention or the scope of; the appended claims.

What is claimed is: K e H 1. A'device of the character described comprising, in combination with an elevated reservoir and a, waste-receiving receptacle, of-a vertically extending housing having aminute vent opening adjacent the upper end thereof, a fitting atjthe upper end'of said housing for tubular connection with said reservoir, a fitting in the lower end of said-housing for tubular connection with said waste receptacle," a fitting adjacent the lower, end vofsaid housing for tubular connection with the bladder of,a patient, an inner siphon housing; saidi fiared bottom of said outer siphon member having a notch in the edge thereof and an opening in the upper portion thereof.

2. A device of the character described comprising, in combination with an elevated reservoir and a waste-receiving receptacle, of a vertically extending housing having a minute vent opening adjacent the upper end thereof, a fitting at the upper end of said housing for tubular connection with said reservoir, a fitting in the lower end of said housing for tubular connection with said Waste receptacle, a fitting adjacent the lower end of said housing for tubular connection with the bladder of a patient, an innersiphon member comprising a vertical tube having interior communication with said fitting in the lower end of the housing and having an open top adjacent the upper end of the receptacle, arms extending outwardly from said top, an out- 6 and a bell affixed to the outer side thereof in spaced relation thereto and extending downwardly to a point immediately above said fitting adjacent'the bottom of the housing, said bell having an opening adjacent the upper end thereof.

er siphon member having a closed upper end and supported by said arms in concentric spaced relation to said inner siphon member and having an open bottom terminating at a point immediately above said fitting adjacent the bottom of the housing, said bottom having a notch formed therein and said outer siphon member being provided with an opening immediately above said notch.

3. A device of the character described comprising, in combination with an elevated reservoir and a waste-receiving receptacle, of a vertically extending housing having a minute vent opening adjacent the upper end thereof, a fitting at the upper end of said housing for tubular connection with said reservoir, a fitting in the lower end of said housing for tubular connection with said waste receptacle, a fitting adjacent the lowlation to said inner siphon member and having an open bottom terminatingat a point above said fitting adjacent the bottom of the housing 4. A device of the character described comprising, in combination with an elevated reservoir and a waste-receiving receptacle, of a vertically'extending housing having a minute vent opening adjacent the upper end thereof, a fitting at the upper end of said housing for tubular connection with said reservoir, a downwardly and. angularly disposed spout within the upper portion of said housing and having interior communication with said fitting in the upper end of said housing, a fitting in the lower end of said housing for tubular connection with said waste receptacle, a fitting adjacent the lower end of said housing for tubular connection with the bladder of a patient, an inner siphon member comprising a vertical tube having interior communication with said fitting in the lower end of the housing and having an open top adjacent the upper end of the receptacle, arms extending outwardly from said top, an outer siphon member having a closed upper end and supported by said arms in concentric spaced relation to said inner siphon member and having an open bottom terminating at a point above said fitting adjacent the bottom of the housing and a bell afiixed to the outer side thereof in spaced relation thereto and extending downwardly to a point immediately above said fitting adjacent the bottom of the housing, said bell having an opening adj acent the upper end thereof.

WILLIAM F. MCKENNA.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,027,538 Hannon Jan. 14, 1936 2,478,876 Nelson Aug. 9, 1949 2,486,405 Henderson Nov. 1, 1949 

